(a) Any entered or unentered merchandise which remains in customs custody for a period of 90 days from the date of importation without the payment of excise taxes, storage or other charges thereon shall be considered unclaimed and abandoned to the government and shall be sold by the customs officer at public auction.

(b) Merchandise liable to depreciation in value by damage, leakage, or other causes to such extent that the proceeds of sale thereof may be insufficient to pay the duties, storage, and other charges if permitted to remain in customs custody for a period of 90 days may be sold forthwith.

(c) Merchandise subject to sale under this section may be withdrawn at any time prior to such sale upon payment of all duties, storage and other charges and expenses that may have accrued.

(d) Any merchandise abandoned, unclaimed, or forfeited to the government under the provisions of this chapter, and which the Treasurer shall be satisfied will not sell for a sufficient amount to pay such charges, shall forthwith be destroyed, rather than sold at auction.